GSA Hosts Conference Focused on Improving Government Efficiency

Video Length: 1 minute 52 seconds

Much of the buzz at this year's Interagency Resources Management Conference centered on changing the way government operates. In her opening keynote, GSA Administrator Martha N. Johnson said that a transformation is happening at GSA and that the agency should not rely on solutions of the past, but, in fact, anticipate future markets and customer demands. Johnson also said she believes that a healthy and innovative GSA makes all of government more efficient.

"Our expertise powers innovation with our customers," Johnson said, "which in turn strengthens their work, which helps them meet their mission goals, so that our government overall is ever smarter, more viable, more capable, and more open."

GSA leaders also discussed a number of high-priority items, including sustainability and open government. Senior Counselor to the Administrator Stephen Leeds participated in a plenary discussion on sustainability. along with Michelle Moore, federal environment executive, Executive Office of the President. Leeds stressed that GSA is ready and able to become a proving ground for innovation in two key areas: sustainable building design and greening the supply chain.

Associate Administrator for Governmentwide Policy and Chief Acquisition Officer Michael Robertson and Associate Administrator of Citizen Services and Communications David McClure led a discussion on GSA's efforts to open government information. Both leaders talked about how GSA's recently released Open Government Plan will help the agency become more transparent, participatory, and collaborative.

The conference featured leaders from around government, including Director John Berry of the Office of Personnel Management, Federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra, OMB Controller Danny Werfel, and Shelley Metzenbaum, Associate Director of OMB's Personnel and Performance Management.

Hundreds of government executive and managers attended the four-day conference in Cambridge, Md. Now in its 49th year, IRMCO is the government's leading management forum for acquisition, finance, human capital, and information technology executives.

Some of the conference highlights included presentation of the 2010 IRMCO Award, and the Citizen Services and Chief Information Officers Council Leadership awards. All three awards are given for exceptional service to improve government services to citizens.